Animals and nature with children in Stockholm

Discover Stockholm's green sides with kids

Stockholm has plenty of places where children can get close to animals, run off energy in nature and do a simple outing without heading far out of the city. Pack a picnic, pick a route of a suitable length and let the forest, farm or park be today's adventure.

Here are collected tips for families who want to find animals, nature trails, barbecue spots, stroller-friendly walks and day-trip destinations near Stockholm.

4H-gårdar and animals to visit

Stockholms 4H-gårdar are a safe bet for children who want to meet animals. Normally there's no fee to visit the farms and look at the animals, but some activities may have a charge, such as pony rides or seasonal events.

Children may not be allowed to pet every animal at a visiting farm, but there are usually some animals you can say hello to. Check the farm's own information before your visit if you want to know which animals are there.

Stroller-friendly natural areas

There are many nature reserves and green spaces around Stockholm. For families with strollers it's especially nice to have clear, passable paths. A few tips are:

• Lida Friluftsgård, where the trail Skogsmulles hjulspår is suitable for wheels.
• Tyresta nationalpark, with the Bylsjöpromenaden.
• Kungliga Nationalstadsparken, which has walking paths in several parts of Stockholm. Guided routes are available via the app Kungliga promenader.

Nature trails suited for children

The forest can be a playground in itself, with stones, roots, trees and little hiding places. If you prefer a more defined route, there are several child-friendly trails where the walk becomes more of a mission or a discovery trip.

• Tyresta nationalpark has Allemansråttans stig and Tjäderstigen.
• At Lida in Botkyrka there are Skogsmulles barnstigar.
• Siggesta gård has Träsktrollens stig, a short loop for curious children.

Barbecuing outdoors — bring spare firewood

Many nature reserves and excursion spots have fire pits, but it's not common for firewood to always be available on site. Often you need to bring your own wood. An exception is Kappsta naturreservat on Lidingö. In some municipalities, such as Sollentuna, there may be wood at the barbecue sites as long as it hasn't run out.

A practical tip is therefore to always bring a little extra firewood if grilling is an important part of the outing.

Pony rides and trail riding

For children who want to try pony rides, Stockholms 4H-gårdar are often a good place to start. Skansen also offers pony rides regularly, and so does Siggesta Gård.

Times and days can vary, and pony rides are not available daily at all locations. Always check current information before you go.

A farm feel near Stockholm

There aren't that many real working farms close to Stockholm, but Bögs gård is a good destination for families who want to see a rural farming environment. The farm is located in the historic agricultural landscape of Järvafältet in Sollentuna, north of Stockholm, and is a demonstration and working farm with, among other things, cows and sheep.

Stockholms 4H-gårdar are also a nice alternative for children who want to meet animals up close.

Where can you see animals with kids?

If you want to be sure to see animals, Skansen is one of the most reliable options in Stockholm. It features Nordic animals and several local breeds.

Other child-friendly places with animals include:

• Stockholms 4H-gårdar.
• Aspuddsparken.
• Stora Blecktornsparken.
• Siggesta Gård, with horses, chickens and alpacas.
• Fjärilshuset Haga Ocean, with butterflies and sharks.

If you want to spot wild animals in the forest you usually need patience, silence and a bit of luck. Bring a picnic, choose a green area and keep the pace slow.